Riding stock saddle



May 10, 1938. C. D. SMITH RIDING srocK SADDLE Filed NOV. 23, 1936 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

BY Y

Patented May 10, 1938 y UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE Claims.

This invention relates to saddles and it has particular reference to riding stock saddles.

The principal object of the invention is to improve upon the present type of riding saddles by 5 the incorporation of certain novel changes and variations of the basic structure to insure comfort both to the rider and the mount. These variations include a provision against bulging under the saddle skirt which frequently causes galling and ring sores on the animal; to provide greater comfort to the rider by allowing freer and more extensive movement of the stirrup leathers, to eliminate the usual groove for the stirrup leather, and for the craftsman, to reduce the labor required in the construction of a saddle.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, this invention has particular reference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of 2O parts, to become manifest as the description proceeds taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a riding stock saddle constructed according to the present invention. 25 Figure 2 is a sectional view in lines 2--2 on Figure 5.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ring which serves the combined function `of providing a securing means for the tree strap and Wear leather and is suspended by the front and rear rigging.

Figure 4 is a detailed view partly in section of the hangings for the stirrup leather, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view partly in section, with portions broken away to illustrate position of the ring shown in Figure 3 with its associated elements.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, I designates a saddle tree of the usual construction, 2 the horn and 3 the cantle. The tree is suitably treated and is covered by the skirt 4, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, and iragmentally in Figure 5.

The saddle illustrated is of the double rigging type but it will be understood that the most important element of the invention may be as eiciently applied to a saddle of the single rigging type. In Figure 1, the front rigging 5 is preferably composed of a piece of leather secured to the front of the tree I in any suitable manner tol provide a loop at its lower end. A D-ring is suspended in this loop and is constructed in the peculiar manner shown in Figure 3 and to which reference will be made later. Suspended from the curve of the D-ring is a tie-strap 'I and to the inner side thereof is secured one end of the connecting strap 8, the latter being shown fragmentally in Figure 5. At this point, attention is directed to the fact that the end of the connecting strap referred to above is of greater width than its opposite end. The purpose of this arrangement is important and will be again referred to presently. The method of securing the connecting strap to the D-ring B consists in providing a tab 9 which surrounds the ring at the connecting point and is doubled back under the end of the connecting strap 8 and is riveted thereto at a.

It will be observed that the widened end of the connecting strap 8 is made so by a gradual upward curve at b, terminating in a substantially vertical plane, the latter abutting one edge of the rigging 5. The opposite end of the connecting strap 3 is relatively narrow and embraces the companion D-ring Ill which is identical in construction with that of ring 6 except that it is required to be reversed. The end of the connecting strap 8 is riveted at c.

Immediately below the connecting strap 8 is a strip of wear leather II of special construction inasmuch as its ends I2 are shaped to be engaged by rings 6 and ID only, recesses d, e and f being provided to prevent engagement of the leather with the various elements connecting with the rings, such as the rigging 5, tie-straps I and connecting strap 8. The ring Ill is likewise suspended by the rear rigging I3 which is of slightly different construction than the front rigging 5. Otherwise the relationship of thering I0 with the other elements of the assembly are identical.

The provisions made for suspending or fastening the stirrup leathers I4 are shown in Figures 1 and 4 and consist of either a metal or leather strip I5 affixed to the saddle tree I so that the tie will have a looped end terminating immediately below the side of the tree I. At the looped end of the strip I5 is an insert I6 of leather or metal which is a segment of a circle, the lower portion of the insert being rounded along its major axis. The loop of the strip I5 extends under the insert I6 while a D-ring I1 passes over the curvature of the insert. It is obvious therefore that the ring I1 may move freely in an arc, as shown in dotted line in Figure 1 and may likewise move in a similar manner in a plane at right angles to its movements as above explained. A bolt or pin I8 is passed through the lower portion of the ring I'I and is embraced by a ferrule or sleeve I9. `This sleeve assumes the frictional wear that would otherwise be upon the stirrup leather I4 which surrounds the sleeve.

The particular construction described as regards the stirrup leather mountings is such that free movement of the legs of the rider may be had both forward and rearward as well as outward and this Without undue frictional contact of the riders legs against the saddle, stirrup leather, and fender.

Referring again to the rigging rings 6 and l0, reference made to Figures 3 and 5 in which the rings are shown as being constructed of a ilat or round piece of metal having raised portions-g and h. To the raised portion g is affixed the rigging 5 and I3 and to the raised portion h is connected the tie-straps 1. The raised portion g likewise serves to provide a connection for strap 8. The purpose of this arrangement is obvious since otherwise, a double thickness of material would result and would bear upon the skirt fi and cause a bulge which would bear against the side of the mount, and continual movement of the saddle would result in a chafed condition or sores. The arrangement shown provides a smooth undersurface and the wear leather Il, which underlies each of the rings 6 and It will keep the rings from bearing directly against the skirt 4, thus obviating a like condition.

As the stirrup leather I4 is swung to and fro, any elevation above the common plane of the elements in the assembly would form an abutment and prevent the free and unrestricted movement thereof, hence the improvement in the connecting strap 8 that its forward end lie ush against the inner edge of the forward rigging 5. A smooth surface is thus assured, and allows for such free movement of the stirrup leather.

It is apparent from the foregoing that a saddle construction is provided which will add to the comfort of the rider as Well as his mount and that there is comparatively little wear resulting from relative movement of parts.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a riding stock saddle, a tree yhaving a skirt, a rigging comprising spaced D-rings and and connecting strap to space these elements above the surface of said skirt.

2. In a riding saddle, a tree having a depending skirt, a strap secured to said tree carrying a ring capable of oscillating movement and forming a connection for a stirrup leather, a rigging comprising straps both rearwardly and forwardly of said stirrup connection, rings connected to said rigging straps, tie straps suspended from said rings, a connecting strap secured to each of said rings, one end of which is greater in width than the other and shaped to lie ilush against the forward rigging strap and a continuous strip of Wear leather underlying said rings and having cutaway portions to denne recesses for the reception of said tie straps and connecting strap to raise the same above the outer surface of said skirt.

3. In a saddle, a tree having a depending skirt, front and rear rigging straps secured to said tree and carrying rings, each of said rings having tie straps secured thereto, a connecting strap having a narrow and a wide end and connected to said rings to bring said wide end flush against one edge of said front rigging strap, stirrup leathers suspended from said tree and capable of unrestricted, maximum movement forward, rearward and outward and a continuous strip of wear leather underlying said rings and having its ends shaped to denne recesses for the reception of said tie straps and connecting strap to elevate the same above the surface of said skirt.

4. In a saddle construction, a tree and a skirt, rigging straps connected to the rear and forepart of said tree carrying rings, each of said rings having connected thereto the ends of a connecting strap, one edge of which is curved upward to terminate abruptly against the edge of said foremost rigging strap, a continuous strip of wear leather underlying said rings and having its ends shaped with recesses for the reception of said connecting strap at its point of securement to said rings, and a stirrup leather suspended for universal movement and capable of sliding over the elements connected to said rings without restriction.

5. In a saddle construction, a tree and a skirt, a stirrup leather suspension comprising looped straps secured to said tree on either side and intermediate its ends, a curved insert secured in the bight of said loop, a ring conformably receiving said insert whereby to be capable of rotative and outward movement and affording a connection for said stirrup leather and a continuous strip of wear leather disposed below said stirrup leathers and provided at its ends with recesses for the reception of connecting elements at their points of securement whereby to effect unrestricted movement of said stirrup leathers along the surface of said skirt.

CHARLES D. SMITH. 

